Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Federal Judge Rules For N.H. Hospitals In Dispute Over Medicaid Funding
New Hampshire Union Leader: Federal Judge Sides With NH Hospitals In Their Compensation Argument With The State
A federal judge has sided with New Hampshire hospitals in their argument with the state over how much the hospitals are due for uncompensated care, which is usually the difference between Medicaid payments and hospitals’ true costs. The ruling means there will be no immediate relief from the courts for a current budget deficit in the Department of Health and Human Services, and Gov. Chris Sununu may have to revise his budget for the next two fiscal years to pay hospitals more than he had hoped, unless the ruling is overturned on appeal or Congress changes the law. (Solomon, 3/3)
New Hampshire Public Radio: N.H. Hospitals Could Get More Money For Uncompensated Care After Court Win
The state and federal governments pay hospitals for caring for patients on Medicaid or with no insurance. In 2010, the federal government changed how it calculates those payments. But according to the U.S. District Court in Concord, the feds didn't go through the proper rule-making process when it changed the calculation. (Rodolico, 3/3)
The Philadelphia Inquirer: Another Delay For Medicaid Contracts In Pa.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on Friday announced another delay in the start day for new Medicaid management contracts covering about $12 billion in annual benefits. Because of protests by losing bidders for the contracts that were awarded in January, “the transition to the new agreements scheduled for June 2017 is no longer feasible,” DHS said in a notice. The winning bidders need more time to negotiate contracts with health-care providers, DHS said. (Brubaker, 3/3)
